Frank Opoku Agyapong, also known as Inter Burgamo, a former aspiring Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has resigned from the party. His decision was not influenced by his failure to secure the regional chairmanship or the position of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Sunyani East Municipality. Agyapong stated that his resignation followed concerns about the NPP's ideology and its approach to managing its affairs.
Agyapong reflected on the direction of the party and assessed it against his personal convictions, leading to his decision to resign. He clarified that he has no immediate plans to join the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or any other political party. Instead, he is pursuing an initiative known as "Voices of the Patriotic Citizens," which he intends to use to advocate for issues he considers to be in the national interest.
Agyapong's association with the NPP dates back several years, including his involvement in the party in the then Brong-Ahafo Region in 2011. He previously contested the NPP's regional chairmanship and the MCE position for Sunyani East. His resignation comes as a surprise to many in the party, especially given his long-standing involvement with the NPP.
Agyapong has also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider his position on presidential term limits and consider seeking a third term. He based his call on the President's performance in office, urging the committee reviewing Ghana's Constitution to examine whether the country's legal framework should permit a president who has performed well to seek an additional term.
Citing President Mahama as an example, Agyapong said the constitutional review should consider whether there should be provisions that allow for continuity when citizens believe an administration is delivering on its mandate. He emphasized that the issue required a broader national discussion on the constitutional provisions governing presidential tenure and whether the current arrangement should be maintained without room for further consideration.
Agyapong's call for a review of presidential term limits has sparked a national debate, with many Ghanaians weighing in on the issue. While some have expressed support for Agyapong's proposal, others have argued that the current two-term limit is sufficient to prevent the abuse of power. The debate is expected to continue in the coming weeks and months.
The NPP has not officially responded to Agyapong's resignation or his call for a review of presidential term limits. However, the party's national organizer, Emmanuel Korsi Bodja, has promised to fix the party's structural challenges, which may be seen as a response to Agyapong's concerns about the party's ideology and approach to managing its affairs.
Key points
- Former NPP financier Frank Opoku Agyapong resigns from the party, citing concerns over ideology and approach to managing affairs.
- Agyapong calls for a review of presidential term limits, citing President Mahama's performance in office.
- Agyapong's resignation and proposal have sparked a national debate on presidential term limits and the NPP's ideology.
